Treasure along Jln Kota Batu
Saturday, June 2, 2007
KAMPUNG Sungai Matan's first carnival has put the unlikely location on the tourism map with its spirited efforts to promote itself as a potential tourist attraction.
The tiny village of just 500 brought a festive air to its section of Jalan Kota Batu with the Matan Carnival 2007. The 35 stalls erected by its residents within the compound of the village head's home drew a crowd of 4,000 curious visitors, of which an estimated 200 were secondary school students. The carnival lasted two days.
Young and old alike were seen poring over traditional delicacies, dried salted fish as well as the fresh fruits and vegetables cultivated by villagers of Kg Sungai Matan, one of the kingdom's "unexpected treasures".
The villagers, many of them enterprising housewives, have been given the incentive and encouragement to promote their daily cultural activities. The Matan Carnival 2007 was the brainchild of the village head of Kg Sungai Matan, Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman Pengiran Hj Zainal, who envisioned small, independent enterprises as potential tourist attractions.
"I asked them (the housewives) if they were interested in profiting from their daily chores when I was visiting their houses," the village head said.
Local residents also cooked delicious local fish and prawn recipes competing in the carnival's cooking contest which was served to visitors.
Boasting traditional foods such as ambuyat, shrimp paste or belacan, salted fish and traditional snacks, the village hummed of a contagious patriotic atmosphere.
Traditional Brunei weaving or tenunan Brunei, or fabric woven with fine and expensive materials decorated with complex designs, was also exhibited.
Fishermen capitalised on the busy but merry carnival by selling fresh fish, prawns and crabs caught straight from the famous Brunei River.
They also conducted informational fishing demonstrations at the carnival.
A net casting competition was held for senior citizens in celebration of the villagers' traditional livelihood.
A river cruise and an eco-tourism historical boat tour of Kampong Ayer stood out as a centre of attraction.
The carnival ended yesterday with talks of excursions from the village to fish farms, Brunei Shell Petroleum and other places to be introduced soon in order to further market the village.
The Brunei Times
The tiny village of just 500 brought a festive air to its section of Jalan Kota Batu with the Matan Carnival 2007. The 35 stalls erected by its residents within the compound of the village head's home drew a crowd of 4,000 curious visitors, of which an estimated 200 were secondary school students. The carnival lasted two days.
Young and old alike were seen poring over traditional delicacies, dried salted fish as well as the fresh fruits and vegetables cultivated by villagers of Kg Sungai Matan, one of the kingdom's "unexpected treasures".
The villagers, many of them enterprising housewives, have been given the incentive and encouragement to promote their daily cultural activities. The Matan Carnival 2007 was the brainchild of the village head of Kg Sungai Matan, Pengiran Hj Abdul Rahman Pengiran Hj Zainal, who envisioned small, independent enterprises as potential tourist attractions.
"I asked them (the housewives) if they were interested in profiting from their daily chores when I was visiting their houses," the village head said.
Local residents also cooked delicious local fish and prawn recipes competing in the carnival's cooking contest which was served to visitors.
Boasting traditional foods such as ambuyat, shrimp paste or belacan, salted fish and traditional snacks, the village hummed of a contagious patriotic atmosphere.
Traditional Brunei weaving or tenunan Brunei, or fabric woven with fine and expensive materials decorated with complex designs, was also exhibited.
Fishermen capitalised on the busy but merry carnival by selling fresh fish, prawns and crabs caught straight from the famous Brunei River.
They also conducted informational fishing demonstrations at the carnival.
A net casting competition was held for senior citizens in celebration of the villagers' traditional livelihood.
A river cruise and an eco-tourism historical boat tour of Kampong Ayer stood out as a centre of attraction.
The carnival ended yesterday with talks of excursions from the village to fish farms, Brunei Shell Petroleum and other places to be introduced soon in order to further market the village.
The Brunei Times
Business Besides Oil
